BMW 318i (E46 Year 2000) Black

I drove this black 4-door sedan with curiosity. It was made in South Africa but it was nicely and elegantly put together. Even after 9 years there was still some freshness left. The 1.9L engine was surprisingly refined and completely devoid of vibration typically associated with 4-cylinder engine. Its 4-speed transmission was smooth and seamless and behaved like a gear-less transmission. Despite its humble 1.9L capacity, it has certain degree of flexibility for everyday use and it is willing to rev so the car itself pick up the pace quickly. What it lacked is the power and the effortless fast acceleration required during overtaking. It has to be planned ahead and executed without deviation.

The chassis was solid but yet light weight, reminding me of a Golf or VW construction. There was a lot of refinement in the front seat while at the back the road noise ate away the comfort by a small notch. Handling-wise surprisingly it was not so engaging, perhaps because of the aging shock absorbers which did not damp the car motion well in half of the situation. However the ride was good enough in all situation but the road noise was sensitive to the road surface. As I remembered it wore the Continental Contact Sport 205/50R16 on original BMW 16" alloy rims.

After 500 kms and 10 days I sold the car to a new owner whose family perhaps found themselves to be the first time owning a car or a BMW. I could sense their excitement and happiness around the BMW. It reminded me that I have lost this kind of feeling for a long long time, only slightly reminded when I saw the faces of the new owners when they received the car keys from me.

Good Bye C36 (March 2006 to July 2009)

This would be the final blog entry for the C36. At least in theory unless I have something to write about. Because of the nature of business I am in, I would not be needing the C36 they way I needed to. After considerable thoughts, I was ready to find it a rightful owner. I had the confidence that none in the market would have any C36s (1995) would top off mine in mechanical condition. I would not low-ball the price. I simply asked for an owner who would continue to take care of it, and who would pay a reasonable price. I knew already that unless one is a big fan of C36, he or she would not pay this price for an almost 15-year old. But then again, who would want to pay the huge price tag in 1995 back then for a family sedan with a big 6-cylinder engine.

I have asked myself many times why I not keep the C36, with the hope of it becoming a future classic. Well, then, I think 40 months and 40,000 kms are enough time with one car if one is living in the moment while owning and driving it. My curiosity towards other cars have grown. It is time to move forward.

The C36 AMG has finally left. We advertised and completed the sale in one week. We found a nice couple who would take good care of the C36. All seem satisfied. And I was slightly proud of the fact that the C36 passed the detailed inspection at HP Auto with satisfactory result and condition. Just minor oil marks and very slow leaks were reported. Anyway it was finally gone and we would both miss it.

Replacing the 1995 C36 at this moment is a 2000 BMW 323Ci convertible. It is completely different car as it lacks the punch and power of the big straight six of C36. The power delivery can only be said as gradual, ultra smooth and creamy at best. I would say it is a kind of slow. However it comes back with a rare sense of luxury and elegance seldom found in most of the other luxury cars, even though many times the price of the 323Ci. It is a total relaxing drive all the time.

Fancy about the AMG C36 companion or replacement

Right now I really have zero complaints about the AMG C36. It has served its purpose faithfully and quietly for the past 4 - 6 weeks since the last time when the air conditioning was overhauled. As all of you know the fuel cost nowadays are quite frightening. And as a result some oldies are becoming available today. Of course it is always logical either to keep what I already have due to the higher switching cost, or going to some smaller econonbox. The added fuel expense can be offset by lowering daily running cost or fuel cost, or by taking public transportation. As a matter of fact I have been seeking ways to reduce the running costs, and treat it as a hobby.

Since I have sold my DC2 in July I have no more race car that I can do street or track racing. My motoring experience has been reduced to strictly common level communting among familiar places. I still can feel some sort of fire buring inside but not great enough to motivate me to do anything crazy. I consider this a benefit of getting old, and an opportunty to save money that I have already wasted too much in my long youthful years.

C36 - Towards its 14th Year and 4th Year of My Ownership

I have been semi-actively seeking a replacement since last Christmas, despite of the poor economy. I had the wish to find a good deal. The fact is that the price has dropped a lot, and there are a lot of cars for sale. But the one has not come up.

I must say the C36 has aged so nicely and well. I don't find much tear, wear and deterioration. Other than the scratches, dents and dimples that are often unavoidable, its paintwork has actually improved each time when it is waxed. I have thought serveral times to have a complete repaint, but have given up as it still carries its original paint. I did replace the two front lamps and side indicator lamps as they were not expensive. The old ones had grown very dim and some parts got very hot because of poor and oxidized electrical connections.

Toyota Surprise (Part 1)

I can never associate excitement and sweet surprise with a Toyota. But it is true that the 3.5L Camry will outrun C36 any time, any gear and any speed. This car will judder its front wheels scrapping for traction in first, and SECOND gear. Amazing power and smooth generous torque. I can here I confirm its 280ps is as real as the 268ps of the C36. The Camry is big and in tight spots it really feels like parking a big boat. Otherwise its quick, direct and responsive steering does the job. No disappointment here as its turning circle was another surprise. The long car length does not help but I think it is overall manageable.

This is a weekend rental from Toyota-rent-a-car. The 2007 Camry is the only 3.5L on the lot in metallic grey color. The car isn't light, but it isn't 'very' heavy. Again, I would say it is manageable if it isn't pushed. The front tires are under-spec'ed at 215/65R16.

I remember when the Camry first came out in 2006 Tiki and I were among the first to have the test drive. Subsequently I opted for the C36 at a fraction of the cost, and patiently waited for the second-hand Camry, ideally in two to three years time. Now the moment has come to evaluate the situation.

This is only the first half-day with the Camry. I will write more during and after the weekend.

A Walk in the Showrooms - VW and Mini

It is always at the end of the year or the beginning that one can look for good deals, especially during the economic downturn. So it is not important if we are in the market or not, we will always do a tour of the showroom whenever it is the 'right' time. The showroom excitement and fascination are a fine entertainment in itself and bring sparkles to the holiday season. This year we do not plan to get a new car but nevertheless I always want to find some car that will blow me away, or a price deal (bang-for-the-buck kind of deal) that I cannot resist. Just like any other hobbies, I prefer (but not always do that) to actively seek out 'targets' and checking/updating my favorite lists. I fully know that it is also fun if I accidentally or unexpectedly run into something I absolutely like or fall in love with. For me I think a mix of both is nice.

VW EOS was nice. The discounted price was nice but it was 50% over our 'stretched' budget. EOS will make Optimus Prime pale in comparison if you watch its whole mechanical transformation from the hardtop with glass sunroof to the totally roofless configuration. The presentation is totally awesome if it takes a bit long in my view. VW has engineered all the features and basic luxury you would ever practically need and think of in the EOS. I think it is borderlining excessive. It comes in silver and red, both attractive and viable. The look of EOS is a bit off with a solid and elegant style that unfortunately says not much about what it is.

The other good deal was the Bumble Bee - the VW Beetle Convertible. It is exactly the same car in same color that we have spent full four days with. I am impressed with the car inside-out both in design and engineering. Its mechanical is sound and the level of refinement is superb. Don't be cheated by its cheeky look. What really negatively impressed me is its 2.0L engine that powered the Beetle and the Golf FSi. While smooth as a V6 and effortless in cruising, it feels like it is torque-less and gutless. The top-grade 6-speed auto gearbox really saves the whole power-train from being a total loser. You can call me critical but I tell you it is really the smoothest and lamest 2.0L I have driven in the last 20 odd years. 50-80kph takes 3 gear shifts (4th to 5th to 6th) and leisurely ages to accomplish if you are not generous with the throttle. To have a reasonable and practical performance it should not power any car more than 1'000kg. And the Beetle Convertible is around 1400kg plus.

The next best deal in my eyes is the Golf GTI Pirelli version. It is a special sports tune-up package (230ps, up from the standard 200ps) before the model gets an update in 2009. Price is right but still 20% over my 'stretched' budget. Take a look at the leather seat and I want to die. The tire thread pattern seat cover really isn't my cup of tea. Just typical good quality leather seat offered in the FSi will do the job, please. And there is no sunroof because of the weight saving and price concern. Alright. And next there is only 2-door version. Ouch. I want a 4-door Golf. And then only it comes in silver, black and deep blue. Well, I want white color even though silver is acceptable. But silver Golf looks like a bit flat and off-tone for the kind of car it is. So forget it.

The showroom is at an odd place in Causeway Bay and hard to find. Good because I think it saves cost for the VW customers, potentially or existing.

Then after a heavy Japanese lunch we walked into the Mini Showroom to look for the best deal. We saw the new Minis. They are bloated, grown, and more aggressive. The Cooper S version looks to me like a mad dog. The price was shockingly expensive. It was a sweet surprise (and it answered my question) that the Mini convertible we spent four days with is the current version. The updated version will come in mid 2009. Great, we will wait. And we missed by a couple weeks the 1.6 M/T version of Mini (standard) selling at a price that is within our budget. Great, again. It is because I don't need to concern about it anymore. I will wait for the new 2009 convertible Mini.

The showroom experience ends for the day but the showroom tour will continue. Of course web-browsing for second hand candidates is also on.

Mini Cooper vs. VW Beetle Convertibles (Part 1)

To save money we didn't plan to go elsewhere during the Christmas week, plus the fact I had a Philosophy paper due on the Christmas Eve. I called AVIS HK on Monday (21st) to ask about the Christmas special discount package on convertible rental. We had planned on a special week in HK with two new convertibles in our ownership. It was the Mini that we wanted for the whole week but AVIS needed the car back for a wedding need from another customer. AVIS counter-offered a almost brand new (2 months old) yellow 2008 VW Beetle Convertible and a slight further discount on the weekly rate. The deal was on! We had planned a lot of places, both places to go and places to eat during the whole week. The weather has been nice in Hong Kong during the time of the year ranging from 15C to 22C, with sunny sky and easy breeze.

When we picked up the Mini, it was an exciting as it were like receiving an ownership of a brand new car. I haven't had this refreshing feeling for many years. And two pseudo-ownership takeover experiences within one week are pretty damned good. The 10-month old 2008 red color Mini was in excellent condition, especially the body work. Quickly we dropped the top and drove away after signing off some papers. We put the Mini (and the Beetle) into good use, we not only drove them into both new places and our favorite places, but also invited our friends and relatives to enjoy the ride and to drive. Utilization level has been extremely high and both convertibles were not spending much time in our parking. Our Max also enjoyed the breeze in the air, sticking its head out of the car to catch the fast moving air with its full light blond hair blowing back.

The Beetle is a mechanically more refined convertible of the two. With the roof up the Beetle is refined and quiet while the Mini reminds you that it is still a convertible with the roof up. In terms of power the 1.6L (120ps) of Mini has more pep than the quiet and restrained 2.0L (115ps) of the Beetle. Mini has the CVT gearbox with 5 "preset" speed ratios while the Beetle has the 6-speed Steptronic. In terms of steering and cornering response the Beetle is always opposite of the Mini. The Beetle has fine damping and ride quality where the 4-wheel-at-the-4-corner Mini has stubborn and overly heavy steering at the slow speed and the damping of the Mini was quite poor in my view. Mini will bottom out if the driver is not being careful. It will crash its front with dips. I am a bit surprised this could happen to one of the best selling hip cars BMW builds.

The Beetle shares over 70% of the touch and feel of a Golf. The chassis is stiff, steering accurate, with moderated steering feel and weight. I think the steering of the Mini was done excessively to show the go-kart feel. Once the Mini is on the move, it will hub the curves at the right speed and very responsive and fun to drive. The 100kg heavier Beetle feels obviously like a bigger and heavier car in comparison, but with its exception refined ride its handling does not pale compared to the Mini.

C36 Update

Nothing beats a good lube. What a feeling on a 14-year old! Finally on the second day of my return from Vietnam to Hong Kong I brought the C36 for a regular service checkup and fluid change. Last checkup was back in March so it is long overdue. However since the car ran smoothly so I kept postponing. There were only a little over 6000 kms between the two fluid changes.

In Septemeber there was a sidewall puncture on the left front tire resulting probably from a not-so-careful curbing. Wheel alignment was also knocked skewed. After a new tire and a thorough four-wheel alignment (with front camber calibrated) the car glided and flowed effortless the best it could. Before the wheel alignment it were like dragging a full bag of garbage behind everywhere I drove.

With both wheel alignment and fluid change the C36 seemed to be back in the game now, with rear tires often skiding and spun from standing start if I was too generous with the throttle. I am not sure it was the cooler weather now, or it was the lack of dragging the a/c pump, that made the engine more responsive and friction-free. It is indeed one of the best moments I have had with the C36. It had ocurred a couple times before with the C36, as well as with other cars that I once owned. I remember how I feel like trying to do everything to get the car to this kind of perceived state of perfection.

What is wrong with being in a perceived perfect state is that things may go wrong or deviate rather than improving by themselves. So one would stay tensioned worrying about losing it, and any effort retaining the state of perfection or its perception shall become an attachment or a drag in itself. A perceived perfect state therefore should be treated as an celebrated event, and should be enjoyed while it lasts. Its coming and going are related to one's own effort and intervention but not absolutely or entirely so. It may not last as external conditions may intervene. It is not a sure thing. In human terms attending state of perfection contains a lot of meanings in itself, and hence has a lot of going for it. At least for some of us at times.

Fancy about the AMG C36 companion or replacement

Right now I really have zero complaints about the AMG C36. It has served its purpose faithfully and quietly for the past 4 - 6 weeks since the last time when the air conditioning was overhauled. As all of you know the fuel cost nowadays are quite frightening. And as a result some oldies are becoming available today. Of course it is always logical either to keep what I already have due to the higher switching cost, or going to some smaller econonbox. The added fuel expense can be offset by lowering daily running cost or fuel cost, or by taking public transportation. As a matter of fact I have been seeking ways to reduce the running costs, and treat it as a hobby.

Since I have sold my DC2 in July I have no more race car that I can do street or track racing. My motoring experience has been reduced to strictly common level communting among familiar places. I still can feel some sort of fire buring inside but not great enough to motivate me to do anything crazy. I consider this a benefit of getting old, and an opportunty to save money that I have already wasted too much in my long youthful years.

AMG C36 Update - Chassis Stiffening

After much consideration, mostly an inner debate of getting a new replacement or continuing the ownership, I decided to give the C36 a better reason to own whenever I can until it is not feasible or no longer meaningful to do so. My wife likes the idea of an indefinite C36 ownership because it is a car I least complain. An indefinite C36 ownership means that I will keep the car as long as possible with no end date in mind.

I gave it a race car treatment to address one of my concerns - a softer chassis compared to other fellow C36s and the later year W202s (1998 and onwards). In a nutshell it is a chassis stiffening to the passenger compartment. PU components are poured into the hollow side sills and beam sections left and right just underneath the 4 doors. I am happy to report a positive result overall. The PU will expand rapidly and eagerly to any hollowness it can find, it will then hardern and expand a little more, providing pressure to its exoskeleton against the inner surface of the steel sections.

The ride does change for the overall good. The car will wiggle a bit more in most road surface other than the ultra smooth one. It does not constitute a nervous ride by all means and reduce comfort or refinement. However that's how modern BMW and Mercedes sports cars behave as well. Bump thumps are slightly more damped and yet shift in frequency and change in the way they are felt. I found the improvement acceptable if not completely satisfied. It is indeed a better balanced ride I was looking for, even though it was not exactly what I had anticipated.

The steering effort has increased for no obvious reason, especially in slow speed maneuvers. In a few hundred kms when the tires are starting to get used to the new contact patches and I will report again. The car does feel lighter and more responsive. It will turn in cleaner and hold cornering load and track cornering line in a more steady and flatter manner. It does not change what C36 originally is, nor redefine for what it is. I like that because I only want it to have a incremental and yet controlled improvement for what is good for me originally.

For those who wonder what the treatment is, see the link below.

http://www.junauto.co.jp/products/reinforcement/polyurethane-foam-kit/index.html?en

A Brief Test Drive in Mercedes ML430 and Lexus IS200

ML430. It was a year 2002 model and well kept by its former owners. It did have the V8 power and the will to pull its two-ton dead weight off from a stand-still. Surprisingly after much strong low-end pull from 0 to 50kph, there was not enough puff left between 60kph to 100kph. Ride was nice and smooth but no one could disguise the fact it was indeed truck-like and had clumsy handling. Initially it did not give me any me any sense of confidence but I still deemed it reasonable for what its worth. However due to high fuel price nowadays, a V8 is not a popular choice.

IS200. After a 2-hour drive in a 1999 IS200 I was sweetly surprised by its excellent everydayness. It was as small as the C36. It was quiet, stationary or on the move. It is refined, vibration free. It was actually feeling more nimble and stiffer than the C36. The 2.0L in-line 6 is very similar to the straight six in the C36, barring the engine capacity, power and the low-end torque. The interior was simply over-decorated, busy and over-designed. We didn't like it a bit. Space-wise it could not compete with the C36 in the front, but not differed by a great deal. I have two thoughts after the short drive with my wife. First it confirmed that my C36 was a bit soft in the chassis and body shell structure despite C36 felt a lot more substantial and heavy duty. Aside from the busy and tight interior, I think the IS300 could make a better car for me. However the look of the first generation IS series had started to age. Honestly it did not age as well as the W202 C-class.

How much is to spend on your next car?

Often it was an long-awaited answer for poor souls or car nuts who have spent too much on cars. I think I sought a good answer the other day from a book called "Living Rich by Spending Smart" by Gregory Karp. So what is all about?

First of all we have already spent way too much on cars that we pay monthly car loan for. The book is written for Americans but I think it has all the sense to apply the same in Hong Kong. Anyway one shall not spend more than 7% (10% for some special reason of yours) of one's disposable household income (that means after-tax monthly salary) on a monthly installment of the car one owns. If one needs to stretch the period of installment from 3 to 4 year or more to lower the amount of monthly installment to meet the 7% or even 10% ceiling, obviously one cannot readily afford and has already overspent.

What happens if one has already paying installments on a car one shouldn't have owned, meaning too expensive based on the above rule? Well, then keep with the installments until they are all paid for, if it is already a dream car and one can keep up with the monthly payment without much financial strain. After the car is paid off, one can either keep the car or sell the car and get one with a price tag that meets the above 7% rule.

What happens if one just pays of all the installments? Well, one should continue to pay the installments, no more than 7% or 10% of the disposable income (after-tax), not to the car loan, but to a one's saving account towards the next car. Do this for three years. Use the money in the car fund and trade in the existing car for a better ride. In principle, one should be able to get a much better new car than the one you have owned for 6 years. And one doesn't need a car loan this time or any other time. And if one keeps doing that, one can trade in to another yet much better car, not in six years, but in three!

I think, one should be allow to use a 3-year car loan, to get one's dream car. However there are two conditions. Do it only once or twice at most in one's lifetime, and do it when one is young and passionate. For me I have done it too often myself when I was younger. Lesson learned.

Based on the rule of 7% (or 10%), I can afford, without trading in my existing car, a brand new Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or something similar, by a 36-month car loan. Anything above that would be a stretch. I felt horrible initially about the fact but slowly settled on that idea. Anyway my 13-year old C36 isn't all bad, and the price of it well fits within the 7% rule, as there is no car loan on it.

AMG C36 Update - Jun 2008

I did a follow-up trip to Pak Lok on the Island side to have the fuel-air ratio check on a Black Rain Saturday. Initial check by hooking up the Diagnosis Handheld showed a poor connection to the air-mass flow sensor. However it did read the data correctly. Anyway I had a new Bosch one, plus a new fuel filter, put in. I also had a squeaky engine belt replaced, which has been bothering us since early this year.

It was a quick job done in less than 2 hours on a Saturday (June 7th) afternoon. The C36 was back on the road again. Initially, throttle response was reduced but the bags of low-down torque had returned. I could feel the engine was remapping itself and slowly adapting to the new components. For what it was it felt slightly different to drive. Tiki felt the engine's eagerness to rev was gone, replaced by a more sluggish low-down pulling power, which was not impressive in her opinion. All I care here and now is the fuel consumption. And it did work magic to my fuel consumption, at least by 20%. Now I can do over 450km in the summer with air conditioner on with a full tank. Just like the old days.

AMG C36 Update - My License is back!

After 6 months without driving I got my driver's license back on May 14th.

I expect the driving again will be a renewal experience but in fact it has been not. It seemed like I have only been hibernating for over 6 months and wake up to find only the same thing over again.

I only drove to work once. Today I took public bus to work.

On last Saturday I took the C36 to Pak Lok to replace the front springs (to the original flat top springs that came with the C36). The front is now lowered by around 5mm but it makes all the right move and balance now. The front is sitting comfortably lower and matches well with the rear. Damping has improved, too. Ride is about the same or better. Damping is better but still not the best I could expect. I replaced the worn PS2 with new PS2 again and did wheel alignment for all 4 wheels. Finally all the minor issues and complaints I have were completed sorted out. At least it is what it seems to me.

I had been thinking about other tires like Bridgstone RE001 Adrenalin and Dunlop Direzza Z1. Finally I settled for the 40% more expensive Michelin because I worried about ride quality. I have been struggling for a long time and decided that Michelin PS2 is a natural match to my aging C36. I reckon that it is a 12-year old car and hard suspension and hard sidewall tires will only make the C36 to feel worse and loose. Comfort and ease of driving are still ranking high on my list. And really I want to do my best to keep what I own, since a real replacement is still quite far away from a financial standpoint. I want to keep the car as long as I possibly could, at least up to a point of diminishing return. Yet if you ask me how I define the point of diminishing return, I would say I have no idea and will think of an answer to that.

The fuel/air ration is wrong as I think it is too rich. The engine feels sluggish and the sometimes hiccups and coughs. I think it has too much fuel being injected. The fuel consumption is a bit unusually high, too. So I think it is due for another checkup, which I should have dealt with it when I replaced the springs.

Cayenne

A friend Eddie asked me to put random thoughts about cars in the blog. One day he asked why there were so many Porsche Cayennes on the streets of Hong Kong. I was wondering why and two ideas popped into my mind almost instantly. First many or a large percentage of Cayenne owners are the first-time Porsche owners. Second many people want Porsche cars but cannot buy Boxsters or 911s because they have a family to lurk around. Porsche Cayenne is not cheap but it would be most people's best excuse to get themself a Porsche. Of course let's not forget the edge on performance, engineering and image associated with Porsche. It is a runaway success. A business owner in Hangzhou, China, told me over dinner he was the first owner in China to have the Cayenne Turbo S just two to three weeks ago. Next time I hope I could get a ride in his new Cayenne.

Mercedes CLK55 (Year 2000) - A brief ride

Finally got a chance to get close and a 15-min ride in a mint condition CLK55. It is in silver with sunroof. I did not drive because my license is still frozen until mid May. Steven let the salesman drove us around the block and got fuel for it. It was not me after the CLK55. What impressed me most was the power delivery and the firm ride, which left me not much to complain about. The interior and the trimming were not as nice in terms of luxury and quality as the previous E55 we saw over one month ago. Nevertheless it is very nice and really beyond what we ever need for luxury. With a 5.5L V8 upfront the whole car did not feel front heavy or even heavy as a whole. It really hides and distributes its weight quite well. Engine is smooth and highly tractable, making it perfect for daily driving even under heavy and slow traffic. The engine torque of course is next to perfect, similar to C32AMG, and yet with loads of refinement and excellent throttle modulation. I could easily feel that even from the passenger seat.

We did not test the power because it was rainy and the road surface was wet. indeed the whole test drive experience was a pleasant one. Uufortunately I did not took photo.

6 months without driving...

My day started with going to a Court House in Fanling. It was an indeed a fine day with sunshine and breeze. It was a day that my driver license was taken away for a period of six months for the observation of a speeding charge. My license will be reinstated in mid May.

I felt bad initially when I was caught. However slowly I accepted it after I got the court summon. I checked around people and all the legalities and it seemed to me there was no way to cut corner. I was faced a penalty of 12-month driver license suspension.

I got lucky because of a fault of preparation by the police prosecutors in a case much earlier that morning. The judge had reprimanded the malpractice of the prosecutor. So when it was my case the prosecutor skipped all the supporting details and only listed the basic fact. I was sentenced to a fine and a six-month license suspension with immediate effect.

Joy! I got lucky. Quickly answering a few questions of the judge on my speeding incidence I walked away gracefully without a hesitation. Did I feel guilty about what I did? Well, should I be? It is just a day in my life. In ten or twenty years there will be little or no significance of it.

The question now is to face a lifestyle without driving. My wife is still driving when we share our journey. It has been more than 20 years without public transportation as the means of commuting to work and places. So I resort to public transportation - bus and MTR. So far so good (as of two months later when this essay was written in early Jan 2008). Do I miss driving? Honestly it is in between not a whole lot and not at all. Do I feel itchy about driving? Not at all. I have been sick of driving for so many years so taking a break like this, in my personal opinion, is really a nice thing. I feel my life, while mingling with the general public, is then more three-dimensional. I have to admit that there are at least 2 hours each day I lost on getting myself from one place to another, which I find I could do something else if I am not driving.

AMG C36 Update - 86'961km

Eric, Eddie and I brought our three rides to Pak Lok on Sat (9/15) for service check and oil change. For me I went back for nostalgic reason (my favorite breakfast street - Tung Tai Street) and seeing old friends working at the garage. My last oil change was on 5/19, roughly 4 months ago. And I did only 3'300 kms only. This time I did not use the Miller Synthetic but took Pak Lok's advice and used the twice more expensive Castrol Edge 10W-60. If it is good for BMW M and I think it will work okay in my AMG grandpa. Eddie's X5 has been using this oil for a few times and reported satisfactory engine response. Pak Lok recommends this oil for German engine over 3.0L in size.

A note after 3 days of motoring: The Edge proves to be very good oil even though it feels highly viscous, it is smooth and friction-free. It does not feel like watery like those Japanese racing oils. Engine is quiet and loaded with plenty of low-end response. I can feel that the fuel economy is improved. As I have been using all kinds of oils in the past 20 years, I become both neutral and critical about what people are telling me about engine oils. But this is one of the good ones.

I also removed the K&N air filter and replaced it with the standard factory item. I think the standard item gives slightly better response and torque below 3000rpm. Acceleration seems more solid, even though it might be slower than it was with the K&N. For K&N the C36 feels lighter when it was asked to accelerate at full throttle. And K&N makes the butterfly valve more dirty because of the more generous filtering of the suction air.

I did not have any faith of curing the clunking noise in the front suspension, which grew louder and more frequent every day since last time it was cured at ML 3 weeks ago. Nevertheless I have never given up the idea to improve the rigidity of the C36. There was a marked difference between the ride and solid feel between my 1995 and Steven's 1997. I do not believe the chassis has changed so much in two model years.

Bingo! We found that the rear bushings for the front lower arms were both torn. This explained very well the tire scrubbing (my inner thread of my both front tires) and potential toe-out, because of the undesirable flexing during braking and/or lateral loading.

Anyway two lower arm bushes and one wheel hub universal joint per side was replaced with genuine factory parts. While the springs were removed I found out the left side spring pad (top side) was punctured, causing the sharp corner end of the spring coming into contact with the front spring metal pocket. Eureka! This explains very well the clunking noise. The corner of the spring end has punctured the thin side wall in the recess area of the rubber spring pad. The spring rotates under load (braking, going over speed bump, or extreme steering angle) and hence scrapes the metal pocket and make the clunking noise.

For me the solution is simple - change the spring pad from the current "one-dot" thin spring pad to a "two-dot" thicker spring pad. It is thicker by 4mm and hence lifting the front of the car by as much. The rigidity and the thickness of the new spring pad will make sure it takes much longer for the sharp spring corner to puncture the spring pad. For added assurance, a ball of grease was applied to the spring socket, providing some lubrication if the spring choose to rotate, hence lessening the stress on the spring pad. I think it will work even I am not 100% sure.

For some reason, the 4mm increase seemed like an inch increase in ride height. That's just my wrong perception, and according to my experience, the ride height will drop slightly and settle down with 100 to 200kms of motoring.

After all the work the toe angle was much affected. After some very rough adjustment it was drivable. Anyway the ride height is different (hence less negative camber) and then my front tire shapes were a kind of slanted to the inner side, and not in symmetric way. So the steering effort to left and the right is different. And the car would not go absolutely straight some times but not all the time. However I think after the tires have been 'broken in' they would be as quiet and smooth as before, and track better after 100 to 200kms. Already this morning I didn't notice the difference in steering effort, left vs right. I love the new found firmness and tightness. And the car seemed to cruise more effortlessly, indicating a reduction in drag.

If I replace with the new tires, I would need another wheel alignment to be done. Right now since there is no hurry and the front tires (still has 30% of life left) seem to work well in terms of ride comfort and grip, except in the wet, I am not in a hurry to change tires until next month (October). The rear tires are wearing evenly and healthily and still have more than 50% of life.

AMG C36 Update - Suspension Bug

Yesterday I sent the car again to ML Motors to find out the source of "clunking" noise in the front suspension when the car was braked and was going over speed bumps. Finally they found out a worn spring pad and replaced it for free. After driving last evening and this morning, I would say the noise is now "largely" gone. Still there was a slight and much less frequent "clunk" that was far more acceptable, some time but not all the time I turn the steering at an extreme angle.

I have to give up Pak Lok for the moment because of proximity issue.

The ride has been very acceptable with the Bilstein B8 shock absorbers with original factory springs. Ride height is just right. Low enough for the look and high enough to clear curbs and slopes. My only complaint was that the steering is a bit weird when doing tight maneuver in the parking area. This goes away during normal driving. It seems a camber and caster angle issue.

I rejected for the moment an idea of more sporty springs from Eibach, H&R and Bilestein. I still value ride comfort far more about handling.

My front tires are due for replacement. Natural choice would be Michelin PS2. I am also thinking about more noisy and stiff Dunlop Z1 or the Vimode from Toyo, and perhaps Pirelli P-Zero Rosso. At the rear, the PS2 wears much slower and will remain.

4 months and 3'000 km after the last oil change, the car now feels sluggish. Fuel consumption has risen up in the last two tanks. However I did not pay attention for the low tire pressure lately until 3 days ago.

Let's see.

AMG C36 Update - Suspension Overhaul

Recently after return from a pleasure trip in Hokkaido and numerous comments from Steven about his C36, I have done much in the front suspension and also replaced the shocks  in 4 corners in my C36. The shock replacement, to say the least, is a needed but a pre-matured one. The AMG-Bilstein still have plenty of juice in them.

I have always complained about some looseness and softness in the suspension and the clunking sound in the front suspension when braking or going over a speed bump. However it was a ride and handling issue I have been able to live with for many months.

Finally I bite the bullet to replace the steering damper (kaput) and also the front upper arms. The replacement of the front upper arms turned out to be a mistake because I thought it only brought about 2 to 3% in terms of ride refinement if you would ask me to say. And I was not sure it was brought by the new steering damper. The two jobs were done at Pak Lok, prior to the trip.

And then a test ride in Steven's 1997 C36 in one Saturday afternoon proved that the huge benefit can be realized if I changed the twice more expensive AMG-Bilstein factory shock absorber with the Bilstein B8 short stroke "Sprint". Initially it felt quite firm and harsh but after 200+kms it felt mellow and fuzzily damped. I love the ride a lot. Also I had replaced the steering linkage (a bit loose) and also the front wheel bearings (also loose and had seen better days). The steering is now much more linear in modulation and direct. The softness and looseness are largely gone for good. However they still give me the old love-boat type of floating feeling going over large undulation that I love most out of the old school Mercedes suspension design. I could hardly believe it would all come from a "sport-tuned" shock design. The whole package is like an immersion in the luxury oil with all the directness and steering feel you could possible get. Wonderful combination I would say. Unfortunately the clunking sound still persisted but the frequency reduced quite dramatically. The last things to change is probably the front wheel hubs assembly and perhaps the front lower suspension arms. But I doubt it. The rear suspension was checked good after the inspection. Nothing to replace there.

I can see now my front tires have already seen 70% of their useful life. I wonder I will keep the choice at Michelin PS2 or change to another brand/model.

Here is a link to Bilstein website about the B8 Sprint:

http://www.bilstein.de/cms_website/english/Products/Product-Details/?cms_produkt_id=7